I like to keep a list of activities that are proven to work in a reading class, regardless of whether it is a block class or one of normal length. It is a sequence that flows. Here it is:
1. The students read a chapter in the book or embedded reading. For me, this lasts about ten minutes.
2. We then chorally translate what they just read. I find it very helpful to create a beat with my right hand going up and down as we translate. This keeps the kids’ voices together. I insist that they all read together, and loudly.
3. We then discuss each paragraph in the target language. I look for ways to personalize the discussion (e.g. – “Has that ever happened to you, Joshua?” etc.). If the discussion on each paragraph takes off into a story or even some extended PQA, I let it. I can always continue with this reading class format sequence the next day.
4. I then read the entire passage to them in a sacred way. I lower my voice. Some of the kids choose to just listen (many subvocalize in pre-speech patterns during this time). Others prefer to follow along in their books.
5. Then I take a paragraph, or just a few lines, and give a dictation on any part the text we just read and discussed. For more information on the dictation format, please see the posters page of benslavic.com.
6. Finally, I give the students an easy, prewritten, yes or no quiz on the content of the chapter.
[Note: I am updating the resources/posters page of this site. By the end of the week, there should be a lot of changes there, including the addition of the above material in a “Suggested Reading Class Format” link, as well as an updated “Suggested Weekly Schedule” and a new “Suggested Block Schedule”. Those three links will be included in the “Other Useful Information” at the bottom of that page.]
The Problem with CI
Jeffrey Sachs was asked what the difference between people in Norway and in the U.S. was. He responded that people in Norway are happy and
